Wild elephants damage crops, triggers panic in Madikeri villages

Madikeri: Wild elephant menace continued in villages under Nariyandada gram panchayat limits, with repeated raids reported in coffee and agricultural estates. The animals have damaged saplings and destroyed sprinkler pipelines, besides trampling and feeding on coffee, arecanut, banana and other crops, causing losses to growers.In Nariyandada village, elephants damaged paddy saplings in Pokkulandra Dhanoj’s estate. Similar incidents were reported in the estates of Makkimane Sudhir and Satish, where sprinkler pipes were broken and crops were destroyed. Growers said elephants often enter fields and remain in estates instead of returning to the forest, and fences installed for protection are frequently damaged.Labourers are hesitant to enter estates due to safety concerns, while farmers and residents said they live in constant fear as the animals frequently appear in the area.

Villagers urged the forest department to take immediate measures to prevent elephants from entering farms and estates, warning of the risk to human life.Meanwhile, an elephant was sighted late Friday in a residential area of Kodagarahalli, triggering panic. Residents said they remained indoors after hearing the elephant’s trumpeting.An operation to drive elephants back into the forest is planned next week. Villagers in Hattinadu, Halugunda, Yadur, Byrambada, Injilagere, Puliyeri, Guhya, Siddapur, Karadigodu, Kannangala, Chembebellur, Kavadi, Kumberi and Ammatthi have been alerted to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the morning and evening hours